Okporojo Killings: Gov Nwifuru ends Amasiri curfew, rejects move to scrap devpt centre

After over four months, the Ebonyi State Government has lifted the curfew and related sanctions imposed on Amasiri communities in Afikpo LGA over the January killings in Okporojo village, Oso Edda, Edda LGA.

The state also ordered the immediate reopening of all public institutions in Amasiri: offices, markets, schools, health facilities, businesses and factories shut since the crisis. Security operatives will, however, maintain a “reasonable presence” in the area.

The announcement followed Monday’s closed-door State Security Council meeting.

Briefing journalists on Governor Francis Nwifuru’s orders were State DSS Director Ene Yetunde Kolawole, Attorney-General Ben Uruchi Odo, Head of Service Ritamary Okoro, and Commissioner for Information and Orientation Ikeuwa Omebe.

The officials said the curfew was lifted because Amasiri people had shown “genuine remorse” through several letters and actions. The intervention of the state’s founding fathers and Elders Council, plus Okporojo community’s acknowledgement of Amasiri’s remorse and plea for peace, also influenced the decision.

In a related move, Attorney-General Odo said government has rejected a bill to delete Amasiri Development Centre from the state’s list. “Consequently, Amasiri is still retained as a DC, keeping the number of Development Centres in Ebonyi State still at 64,” he stated, adding that the decision was taken “in the hallowed interest of justice.”

Head of Service Okoro said her office has been directed to notify all affected public institutions to resume operations, and to recall civil and public servants, including teachers earlier redeployed, to their original duty posts in Amasiri.

Commissioner Omebe stressed that the state government “is still determined to ensure that the preservation and protection of lives and property of Ebonyians is what we can never joke with.” He added that government will begin restoration of infrastructure destroyed during the crisis.

The curfew and sanctions were imposed after the killing and beheading of some persons in Okporojo, allegedly by Amasiri warlords, in renewed hostilities tied to a long-standing land dispute between the neighbouring communities. Government said the measures were meant to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

•Photo Caption (L-R) (sitting): Deputy Gov, Princess Patricia Obila; SSG, Grace Umezurike; Attorney-General, Ben Uruchi Odo; and the Head of Service, Dr. Rita Mary Okoro during the briefing.